1) A true work of art--a contagious one--is produced only when the artist seeks, strives. In poetry this passion for representing that which is, comes from the fact that the artist hopes that having seen clearly and having fixed that which is, he will understand the meaning of that which is. 2) In every art there are two departures from the way, vulgarity and artificiality. Between them both there is only a narrow path. And this narrow path is outlined by impulse. If you have impulse and direction, you pass by both dangers. Of the two, the more terrible is artificiality. 3) It is impossible to compel reason to examine and clarify that which the heart does not wish. 4) It is bad when reason wishes to give the meaning of virtue to selfish efforts. Kudinenko[43] was here. A remarkable man. N. took the oath and is serving.[44] A letter from Makovitsky[45] with an article on the Nazarenes.[46] _Jan. 24. Moscow. If I live._ _Jan. 25. Moscow._ During these two days the chief event was the death of Nagornov. Always new and full of meaning is death. It occurred to me: they represent death in the theatre. Does it produce 1/1,000,000 of that impression which the nearness of a real death produces? I continue writing the drama. I have written four acts. All bad. But it is beginning to resemble a real thing. _Jan. 26. Mosc. If I live._ _January 26. Moscow._ I am alive, but I don’t live. Strakhov--to-day I heard of his death.[47] To-day they buried Nagornov--and that is news. I lay down to sleep, but could not sleep, and there appeared before me so clearly and brightly, an understanding of life whereby we would feel ourselves to be travellers. Before us lies a stage of the road with the same well-known conditions. How can one walk along that road otherwise than eagerly, gaily, friendly, and actively together, not grieving over the fact that you yourself are going away or that others are going ahead of you thither, where we shall again be still more together. To-day I wrote a postscript to the letter to Crosby. A good letter from Kenworthy. Unpleasantness with N. He is a journalist. _Jan. 26 [27?]. Moscow. If I live._ Almost a month that I have made no entries. To-day, _Feb. 13, Moscow_. I wanted to go to the Olsuphievs.[48].... There is much bustle here and it takes up much time. I sit down late to my work and therefore write little. I finished somehow the fifth act of the drama and took up _Resurrection_. I read over eleven chapters and am gradually advancing. I corrected the letter to Crosby. An event--an important one--Strakhov’s death, and something else--Davydov’s conversation with the Emperor.[49]......